The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) consultation paper seeks to kick off a discussion on creating a regulatory framework for over-the-top (OTT) communication service providers such as Skype, WhatsApp, Viber and home-grown messaging apps like Hike. It looks to balance the economic interests of the telecom service providers (TSPs) who have created the infrastructure, the OTT services and consumers. There is no denying that OTT services have become the default choice for communication for millions of people not only in India but the world over. However, the growth of these services has disrupted the business models of TSPs; they have lost their traditional sources of revenue from voice calls and text messages, and need to now rely on data. But while technological advancements often disrupt business models, curbing innovation cannot be the solution. Rather, smart businesses embrace technology changes and adapt their revenue models.

That said, the angst of TSPs is that they make all the investment in infrastructure and maintain it not just to retain consumers but also to meet the regulatory requirement that stipulate minimum standards in data speed. TSPs and the OTT services have a symbiotic relationship of sorts. The quality of OTT services depends on the quality of telecom infrastructure. So does the quality of various other data-based services such as video streaming that are increasingly being bundled as packages by telecom service providers. TSPs have to comply with various licensing conditions, regulatory obligations and statutory requirements, pay license fee and taxes and preserve user data in the interest of national security. In comparison, the OTT players are not subject to any licensing or taxes, and can exercise self-regulation. They are not obligated yet to maintain users’ data in the users’ home country and investigative and law enforcement agencies are usually unable to access it. OTTs also have the advantage of providing encrypted services to offer more secure communication but has been misused to wreak havoc in nations and spread misinformation. Some of that needs to change, but in creating the regulatory framework for OTTs, TRAI must ensure innovation and free speech are not compromised.

One approach being considered in many nations, where the OTT players provide services that are identical or similar to those provided by telecom service providers, is to subject them to licensing and registration obligations. The EU has proposed a mix of deregulation and application of a limited set of rules to OTT services. The French telecom regulator does not regulate OTTs but treats all voice over internet protocol (VoIP) providers who connect to public switched telephone networks as equivalent to traditional TSPs. A white paper by German authorities has proposed measures such as subjecting OTTs to the same rules of consumer protection, data protection and security as TSPs. The TRAI should be in step with major democracies in this regard.

Use in a Sentence: Some people are not willing to embrace new technologies.

2. Word: Disrupt (अस्त-व्यस्त करना)

Pronunciation: dis-ruhpt/डिस्रप्ट

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning:a. interrupt (an event, activity, or process) by causing a disturbance or problem.

b. drastically alter or destroy the structure of.

Synonyms: distort, damage, buckle, warp

Antonyms: organize, arrange, mend

Use in a Sentence: He refuse to hear anything that might disrupthis plans.

3. Word: Angst (चिंता)

Pronunciation: ahngks/आंगक्स्ट

Part of Speech: Noun

Meaning:a. a feeling of deep anxiety or dread, typically an unfocused one about the human condition or the state of the world in general.

b. a feeling of persistent worry about something trivial.

Synonyms: apprehension, worry, distress, unease

Antonyms: comfort, calmness, assurance

Use in a Sentence: Indulging in angstabout the unfairness of it all will just make the problem worse.

4. Word:Obligate (बाध्य करना)

Part of Speech: Verb, Adjective

Pronunciation: ob-li-geyt/आब्लगैट

Meaning: a. require or compel (someone) to undertake a legal or moral duty. [Verb]b. commit (assets) as security. [Verb]c. restricted to a particular function or mode of life. [Adjective]

Synonyms: constrain, pledge

Antonyms: release, absolve

Use in a Sentence: We were obligated to attend the opening ceremony.

5. Word: Comply (स्वीकार करना)

Pronunciation: kuhm-plahy/कम्प्लाइ

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning:a. act in accordance with a wish or command.

b. (of an article) meet specified standards.

Synonyms: observe, obey, adhere to, conform to, follow, respect

Antonyms: disobey, refuse, defy

Use in a Sentence: When requested to leave, they refused to comply.

6. Word:Curb (नियंत्रण करना)

Part of Speech: Noun, Verb

Pronunciation: kurb/कर्ब

Meaning: a check or restraint on something.

Synonyms: inhibit, hinder

Antonyms: encourage, support

Use in a Sentence: We are trying to keep a curbon their activities.

7. Word: Wreck (विनाश)

Pronunciation: rek/रेक

Part of Speech: Verb, Noun

Meaning:a. cause the destruction of (a ship) by sinking or breaking up. [Verb]

b. something, especially a vehicle or building, that has been badly damaged or destroyed. [Noun]

Synonyms: devastate, demolish, annihilate

Antonyms: blessing, compensate, fabricate

Use in a Sentence: The collision reduced the car to a useless wreck.

8. Word: Stipulate (प्रतिज्ञा करना)

Pronunciation: stip-yuh-leyt/स्टिप्यलैट

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning:

a. demand or specify (a requirement), typically as part of a bargain or agreement.

Synonyms: require, condition, promise

Antonyms: approachable, apply, appeal

Use in a Sentence: The company fails to pay on the date stipulatedin the contract.

9. Word: Kick off (प्रारम्भ करना)

Pronunciation: kik-awf/किक ऑफ

Part of Speech: phrasal verb of kick

Meaning:a. become very angry; suddenly start an argument or fight.

b. the initial stage of something; start; beginning

Synonyms: lead off, initiate, succumb

Antonyms: cancel, abstain, end up

Use in a Sentence: It might be a good idea to kick off with a few folk songs.

10. Word: Enforcement (प्रचलन)

Pronunciation: en-fawrs-muh nt/एन्फोर्स्मन्ट

Part of Speech: Noun

Meaning: the act of compelling observance of or compliance with a law, rule, or obligation.

Synonyms: imposition, implementation

Antonyms: dismissal, expiration

Use in a Sentence: The doctors want stricter enforcement of existing laws.

Practice Time

Based on the above article, we have some practice questions for you. Try to answer these questions in the comments section & our team will review them at the earliest!Exercise 1:
Here are some of the words from the above article. Try to frame sentences from them in your own words and share them with us in the comments section!

Angst

Kick off

Enforcement

Wreck

Comply

Exercise 2: Match the column.

S No.

Words

Antonym/Synonym

1

Curb

2

Stipulate

3

Disrupt

4

Obligate

5

Embrace

Answer in the comment section.More from us:
For practice, attempt the quiz based on this daily wordlist from the link below to enhance your exam preparation: